Faf stars for Chennai in IPL

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Chennai - Opener Faf du Plessis smashed a brisk 73 off 52 balls as Chennai Super Kings carved out a last-ball victory over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

The South African struck two sixes and six fours in the decisive knock, but it took a scampered double by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni off pace bowler Stuart Binny to complete the win as Chennai scored 147-3 after restricting Rajasthan to 146-4.

Du Plessis got off to a fine start by striking three fours off the second over bowled by Binny, son of India's 1983 World Cup hero Roger Binny, and figured in useful half-century stands with Subramaniam Badrinath (15) and Suresh Raina (26).

Du Plessis was dismissed by West Indian all-rounder Kevon Cooper, when he tried to come down the pitch to the seam bowler, only to edge the ball and give wicketkeeper Sreevats Goswami a low catch.

It was left to Dhoni (15) and Dwayne Bravo (16) to complete the win by scoring eight off the last over.

For Rajasthan, England batsman Owais Shah was the standout performer with his effort of 52, smashing three sixes and four fours off 43 balls.

Shah, who is the second highest run-getter in this year's IPL with 268 in seven games, added 92 for the third wicket with Ashok Menaria (36).

Shah was slow off the blocks, taking seven deliveries to get off the mark, but opened up with a six to left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati and also hit some lusty shots off Ravindra Jadeja and Doug Boullinger.

Shah was out off the last ball of the innings, caught behind by Dhoni off Nuwan Kulasekara, who was the pick of the bowlers with 1-17 from four overs. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also helped keep the run rate down, finishing with 1-19.

It was the fourth win in seven games for Chennai. Rajasthan has four wins from seven outings.

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